Genetic Variation Associated With Survival Advantage in African Americans With HIV

From the start of the HIV epidemic, it appeared that some of the people who were infected with the virus were able to ward off the fatal effects of the disease longer than others. Recent studies have begun to unravel the cause of this phenomenon, and new research suggests that African Americans with the disease have a unique survival advantage if they have both a low white blood cell count (known as leukopenia) and a genetic variation that is found mainly in persons of African ancestry. This study was prepublished online today, in Blood, the official journal of the American Society of Hematology.

The research showed that African Americans with HIV who possess both a variation in the gene for the Duffy antigen receptor for chemokine (DARC) and leukopenia have slower HIV-to-AIDS progression rates than HIV-infected European Americans with leukopenia. Previous studies showed that the same DARC variant conferred protection for persons of African ancestry against a particular form of malaria, and that persons of African descent have, on average, lower white blood cell (WBC) counts than persons of European ancestry. Leukopenia is one of several blood conditions observed frequently in patients with HIV-1 infection, but its impact on disease course is relatively unknown.

"Even though leukopenia is tied to both African ancestry and faster disease progression, we found that compared with European Americans, African American patients with HIV who have leukopenia do not necessarily experience this expected outcome," says lead author Dr. Sunil Ahuja, MD, of the Veterans Administration (VA) Research Center for AIDS and HIV-1 Infection and the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.

This study evaluated data from the Air Force subset of the U.S. Military's HIV Natural History Study and included genetic and clinical data from 1,132 participants. The researchers tested for the presence of the DARC variation and evaluated patients' WBC counts from diagnosis and throughout the course of the disease to determine the impact of different levels of WBC counts on survival rates. The prevalence of leukopenia at the time of diagnosis was significantly higher in African Americans (28 percent) than in European Americans (15 percent) or other ethnicities (13 percent). The average WBC counts were also significantly lower during the course of the disease in African Americans with HIV than in other ethnicities.

The researchers found that leukopenia was generally associated with a faster disease progression from HIV to AIDS, independent of known predictors of AIDS development. "On average, leukopenic European Americans progressed nearly three times faster than their non-leukopenic African or European counterparts," explains Dr. Hemant Kulkarni, MD, first author of this study. "However, leukopenic African Americans had a slower disease course than leukopenic European Americans, even though twice as many African Americans in the study had leukopenia."

The investigators found that the DARC variation, not race, explained the differences in WBC counts in African Americans with HIV. Among those who were leukopenic, only those with the DARC variation experienced a significant survival benefit. Additionally, this survival advantage became increasingly pronounced in those with progressively lower WBC counts, suggesting that the interaction between DARC and WBC counts was the primary influence on slowing HIV disease progression in African Americans.

"The results of this collaborative study highlight the importance of accounting for other factors, such as the white blood cell count, to uncover the full effects of genetic variations that may influence HIV disease course," says Capt. Gregory Martin, MD, United States Navy, program director for the Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Program (IDCRP) and an expert on infectious diseases who was not involved with the study.

"White blood cells are intricately linked to inflammation, and inflammation is known to fuel HIV disease progression. Thus, future studies will need to decipher whether the interaction between the DARC variant and low white blood cell counts results in a reduced inflammatory state," says Dr. Vincent Marconi, MD, of the IDCRP.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimates that about 1 million people in the United States are living with HIV or AIDS, and that about 60,000 individuals are infected with HIV each year.

Watch more breaking news now on our video feed:





Bookmark http://universeeverything.blogspot.com/ and drop back in sometime.

New Strategy Proposed For Designing Antibody-based HIV Vaccine

Most vaccines that protect against viruses generate infection-fighting proteins called antibodies that either block infection or help eliminate the virus before it can cause disease. Attempts to create a vaccine that induces antibodies that prevent HIV infection or disease, however, have so far been unsuccessful. But several recent studies suggest promising new research directions for the development of an antibody-based HIV vaccine, according to John R. Mascola, M.D., deputy director of the Vaccine Research Center at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health, and colleagues.

These studies demonstrate that, contrary to widespread belief, it is not uncommon for people infected with HIV to naturally make antibodies that can neutralize a variety of HIV strains. These antibodies do not protect people from the virus because they arise years after HIV infection is established. However, if a vaccine could prime the body to make these broadly neutralizing antibodies before exposure to HIV, they could potentially prevent infection or hold the virus at bay until an army of immune cells assembles to limit viral replication.

Based on these findings, Dr. Mascola and colleagues recommend a research strategy that uses naturally occurring, broadly neutralizing anti-HIV antibodies for the ultimate design of an antibody-based HIV vaccine.

Watch more breaking news now on our video feed:



Bookmark http://universeeverything.blogspot.com/ and drop back in sometime.

Researchers Find Monkeys Able to Fend Off AIDS-like Symptoms With Enhanced HIV Vaccine

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered that using an immune system gene to enhance a vaccine used to study HIV in macaque monkeys provides the animals with greater protection against simian HIV (SHIV) than an unmodified vaccine. This multi-year study found that the addition of a molecule called Interleukin-15 effectively boosts the effects of a vaccine derived from the DNA of simian HIV. The study illustrates that DNA vaccine effectiveness can be improved by the inclusion of specific immune adjuvants, or helpers.

The findings are published in last week’s online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

“DNA vaccine technology has great promise for the development of vaccines and immune therapeutics for a variety of infectious diseases and cancers,” says senior author David Weiner, professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Penn. While previous studies have established that the technology can induce immune responses safely, “improving the immune potency of this platform is critical for further development in humans.”

The research builds on previous work aimed at engineering a more potent immune response to SHIV DNA vaccine technology. Mouse model studies previously showed that the cytokine IL-15 -- a substance that can improve the body's natural response to infection and disease -- helps better immune responses and protection, while this study mirrors those findings in a larger, non-human primate species.

In this study, the group of macaques that was injected with the vaccine containing a loop of DNA enabling them to make IL-15 developed no signs of AIDS-like symptoms when exposed to live SHIV, compared to four animals in the control group that received only the DNA vaccine. The modified vaccine appeared to help suppress viral replication among the IL-15 group.

Next, Weiner’s team will study the protected macaques to determine the actual mechanism of their protection, and seek out any pockets of the virus that may be hiding in specific immune compartments. The approach will also be tested for safety and immunogenicity in humans through the HIV Vaccine Trials Network.

Watch more breaking news now on our video feed:

Bookmark http://universeeverything.blogspot.com/ and drop back in sometime.

Caring For The Sick Now Public Health Priority For Developing Countries

Of the 57 million people dying worldwide each year, 6 million deaths are caused by cancer and 3 million from HIV/AIDS, with the majority of both occurring in developing countries. These figures indicate the large number of people experiencing incapacitation and pain through shortness of breath, constipation, diarrhoea, nausea as well as distress, depression and anxiety.

New research published in the Journal of Public Health Policy, prepared by research staff at The George Institute for International Health, the School of Public Health at the University of Sydney and the Department of Palliative Medicine at Calvary Hospital, highlights that a potential 100 million people in these poorer nations could benefit from palliative care services, including family members and close companions.

Lead author of the paper Ruth Webster, a research fellow at The George Institute, says that "The scale of this epidemic of death and dying requires acknowledgement and priority as a public health issue, with more than just an emphasis on prevention of these diseases and their cure. Around 100 countries around the world have palliative care services, however only 6% are located in Asia and Africa, where the highest demand for the services is."

"Palliative care is not on the health agenda of governments as a public health problem, which is extremely detrimental to the populations that most need these services. WHO has recommended that all countries have a policy to implement these types of services, but despite this, one only African country, has made this a priority, Uganda. South Africa has recently included palliative care in their new health policies." adds Webster.

The review found three specific barriers to implementing palliative care in developing countries - government commitment, opioid availability and education. While pain management is only part of the picture, the availability of opioids and morphine is extremely difficult for developing countries. Webster says that policy makers and health professionals need to understand that lifting unnecessary regulations is vital for the large number of ill people needing care.

The authors recommend training and education as a key part to developing palliative care programs. "Experience shows that training programs for health professionals is an essential and rewarding step to build capacity in developing countries. Educating family members and utilising volunteer caregivers, in conjunction with publicly raising the profile of palliative care services, is essential so that people know what options are available and what is the best option for a particular illness."


Bookmark http://universeeverything.blogspot.com/ and drop back in sometime.

Is the AIDS Epidemic Discriminating?

According to the latest statistics from the US Center for Disease Control (CDC), Latinos are more likely to develop full-blown AIDS within one year of their HIV diagnosis than anyother ethnic group. In Los Angeles County, approximately 72% of Latinos develop full-blown AIDS within a year of receiving their HIV diagnosis.

In light of these statistics, BIENESTAR, a Latino-based HIV/AIDS organization, California state Speaker of the Assembly Fabian Nunez, state Senator Gilbert Cedillo and the California Latino Legislative Caucus are calling on elected officials to take action and address this crisis, BIENSTAR says.

"Although the AIDS virus itself does not discriminate, the numbers clearly demonstrate that race and ethnicity are playing a role in who ismost likely to develop full-blown AIDS," says Oscar De La O, president and CEO of BIENESTAR. "We are calling upon our elected officials to commit to solutions that specifically target Latinos and African-Americans. Failing to do so will perpetuate the adverse impacts of poverty, stigma, and inadequate healthcare access on Latinos and other underserved communities," adds De La O.

A CDC report revealed extremely high rates of late testing among Latinos. Late testing is defined as the development of AIDS within 12months after first being diagnosed with HIV. Late testing denies individuals of the benefits of new treatment advancements, including lifesaving medications, BIENSTAR says. Since late testers are likely to have been HIV positive without their knowledge for an unknown period of time, the likelihood that further transmission of the virus to other individuals occurred is significant.

Bookmark http://universeeverything.blogspot.com/ and drop back in sometime.

Poll: Americans Struggle With HIV/AIDS Issues

Almost two-fifths of Americans have difficulty sympathizing with HIV/AIDS victims, according toa study commissioned and released by Compassion International.

Thirty-nine percent of the people polled agreed strongly or somewhat with the statement: "You have more sympathy for people who have cancer than you do for people who have HIV or AIDS because you feel most of those with HIV/AIDS got the disease as a result of their decisions or lifestyles."

Roughly one out of seven Americans (15 percent) said they donated in 2005 to an organization specifically to address the HIV/AIDS crisis. But the survey, conducted in advance of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, also found that only 8 percent of Americans have a compassionate attitude toward HIV/AIDS victims and have donated to the cause.

This type of conflicting behavior and attitudes was a common theme inthe study. More than half of Americans -- 52 percent -- are unengaged with the HIV/AIDS crisis. They expressed conflicting, neutral or undecided views and behaviors related to addressing the issue. In fact, half of those who donated money to HIV/AIDS causes in the last year either admit they struggle to be sympathetic toward the victims of HIV/AIDS or they doubt that individuals can make a major difference addressing the disease.

On the other hand, roughly twice as many respondents said they would rather address HIV/AIDS than global warming (52 to 28 percent).

"Awareness is not enough. Education is not enough. Nutrition is not enough. Government subsidized anti-retroviral drug 'access' is not enough," says Dr. Scott Todd, director of Compassion's AIDS initiative. "It takes all that and more ... counseling, home visits, facilitating transport,payment for clinical services, lab tests and medicines including anti-retroviral drugs. It takes people filled with compassion, whose faithand hope comes from a deeper spring than the world has ever known. The truth is -- we can make a difference."

Compassion International, a Christian ministry to poor children indeveloping countries, commissioned the study as part of its annual PovertyPoll. The Poverty Poll is commissioned in the OmniPoll, a series oftracking studies conducted every year by The Barna Group.

United Nations figures indicate that AIDS has killed more than 25 million people since it was first recognized in 1981. Of the people today who have HIV, which causes AIDS, two-thirds live in sub-Saharan Africa.That's 24.5 million people, according to 2005 statistics.

More than 12 million African children have lost one or both parents toAIDS, and nine out of 10 children infected with HIV, roughly two million, live in sub-Saharan Africa.

Compassion's AIDS Initiative provides prevention, treatment and rehabilitative care for Compassion-sponsored African children and their families who are infected with the virus. Over 100,000 children and theirfamilies or caregivers have been tested for HIV/AIDS as part of Compassion's program in Africa.

One of the key features of the program isanti-retroviral therapy -- treating HIV with drugs that are difficult to obtain in the developing world. The Barna Group, a premier Christian polling organization, conducted 1,004 telephone interviews of adults 18 and older in the continental UnitedStates in October for the poll.

"We see a full range of perspectives when it comes to HIV/AIDS -- fromthose who feel it is not a serious or meaningful issue to those who arehighly engaged in helping to address the problem," says David Kinnaman, Barna's vice president. "But most Americans are currently in no-man's land,feeling that the problem is significant enough to warrant attention, but not necessarily their attention. They are unwilling to -- or uncertain how to -- leverage their time and energy to deal with the disease and its outcomes."

The survey explored people's willingness to support HIV/AIDS incontrast with other significant charitable causes and issues - such asgiving people access to clean water, treating cancer, fighting poverty anddealing with global warming. The research shows that Americans clearly rank access to clean water above the idea of addressing HIV/AIDS (66 to 13 percent). Respondents also said that HIV/AIDS is less important than dealing with cancer (47 to 19 percent) or addressing poverty (47 to 22 percent).

The research explored the areas in which Americans believe they caninfluence the world. Four areas were assessed: domestic poverty, terrorism,the international HIV/AIDS epidemic and international poverty. In theseareas, the poll discovered that the perspectives of born-again Christianswere statistically identical to those of other Americans.

Most Americans agreed they could have a major impact on only one of the four areas -- poverty in the United States. Overall, 64 percent of adults said they believe that individuals in this country can have a "major"influence on this.

About half of Americans believed they can influence the war on terror(48 percent). One-third believed individuals can effectively address theHIV/AIDS crisis affecting other countries (37 percent), but only one-quarter (28 percent) were convinced a major impact could be made on international poverty.



Even a $1 or $2 contribution would be appreciated. If you can't contribute, please support us by clicking the Google ad at the top of the page. Thank you!